How to measure at home intracranial pressure

1 Methods of measuring

That's why if you have headaches, be sure to immediately think about how to measure intracranial pressure. After all, if you do not prevent abnormalities, then later it can lead to a more serious illness. To date, there is no such a special equipment that would allow you to determine whether the home is at home. Therefore, if you doubt and suspect this illness of yourselves, it is better to immediately go to a medical institution. Only professionals can painlessly and at the same time safely measure the pressure of a person. At home, the pressure can not be determined, since there is no suitable instrument for this, and there are no specialists who can do everything correctly.

Thanks to modern technologies, specialists offer several ways how to measure intracranial pressure in adults. In particular, the following are distinguished:

1. The subdural method.
2. Epidural method.
3. Method of measuring pressure using an intraventicular catheter.

For all three methods there is special equipment, so measurement at home without the appropriate technology is impossible. To date, experts suggest measuring intracranial pressure by inserting a catheter as one of the most common and progressive methods. The measurement process is that the doctor with special equipment makes a small hole. Doctors know that the end of the equipment must reach the lateral ventricle in the brain. This method is contraindicated for those patients who have elevated blood pressure. Experts explain that in this case it is practically impossible to insert the catheter into the hole.

But it is in this way that the doctor can most accurately check the intracranial pressure and, if necessary, pump the overflowing liquid.

The subdural method involves measuring the pressure as soon as possible. The specialist in this case introduces the subdural screw through the trepanation hole.

The enduric method involves the introduction through the cranial opening of the epidural sensor. Preliminary, this area of ​​the head is anesthetized with lidocaine and other anesthetic agents. However, in this case, the specialist can not remove excess fluid. Therefore, this method is only used to determine the volume of the liquid.

It is important to know that before the insertion of a catheter or other equipment, this area of ​​the head of the anesthetic should be anesthetized, which is impossible at home.

2 How to determine elevated ICP by yourself

At home, it can not be measured, but at the same time one can guess the increased rate of intracranial pressure by certain signs. In particular, doctors report that the main symptoms are nausea, severe headaches and deterioration of eyesight and hearing. If you experience these symptoms, then you can think about how to check intracranial pressure.

It is possible to find out about ETS on such symptoms as weakness of the body, ongoing headaches, unreasonable mood changes, visual and hearing defects, discomfort in sudden movements, frequent urges to vomit, and memory problems.

If you have all of the above signs, then do not delay the visit to the doctor. Only a specialized medical center worker can accurately determine the level of intracranial pressure.

Doctors can not only measure, but also diagnose elevated ICP.Most often for this purpose, doctors turn to a spinal puncture, suggesting the insertion of a needle into the spinal canal. The needle connected to the device can accurately determine the volume of fluid in the brain. This event is held only in a stationary mode. The method will allow to determine the level of intracranial pressure in a person as accurately as possible.

The second method, magnetic resonance imaging, is performed only if the patient is very worried about his health. The disadvantage of the procedure is its increased cost.

The third method - hardware echoencephalography does not give 100% accurate results, but allows you to identify similar ailments.

Most rarely, experts advise to use ultrasound, because it does not exactly determine the level of fluid, although it helps to clarify the condition of the ventricles of the brain.

Severe intracranial pressure can cause visual defects. Therefore, if there are doubts, then it is worthwhile to apply to the oculist, in order to prevent the deterioration of vision. After the examination, the oculist will immediately determine the cause of the illness and will advise whether it is worth measuring intracranial pressure.

3 Which method is better to choose

It can not be unequivocally said that it is more appropriate for a patient to use this, and to another patient - by another method. Methods for determining ICP are established by physicians based on the patient's state of health and on the basis of available indications. In fact, all of the above methods provide a 100% result.

Any of the methods will allow to determine in advance the cause of the disease and prevent its further spread. It should also be taken into account that the methods for measuring intracranial pressure differ significantly from those used for adults. After all, doctors pay attention to the fact that babies can not close the fontanel. Doctors most often diagnose the pressure in children with ultrasound examination.

Newborns should be suspected of having increased ICP if they exhibit the following symptoms: strong fontanelle bulging, frequent vomiting, development of strabismus, the formation of a venous net on the scalp, a sudden increase in the size of the child's head, and also his unrestrained anxiety. In older children, in addition, there may be convulsions, which is also a symptom of increased intracranial pressure.

Thus, at home, you can only identify the symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, and an accurate study can be conducted only in specialized institutions.